NEWS RELEASE
COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTRE OF NORTH AND CENTRE WELLINGTON
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The Community Resource Centre of North and Centre Wellington (the “CRC”) will open the doors to its brick and mortar community space and EarlyON Child and Family Centre (“EarlyON”) on January 13, 2025.
The CRC Community Space Project launched in April of 2023, when the CRC identified the need for a larger and accessible space for its current EarlyON Programming in Centre Wellington due to the increase in population in the Township. At the same time, the CRC was participating in internal discussions regarding a physical and neutral space where its’ Outreach Workers could meet to exchange ideas, provide resources to their clients and continue to expand the programming they provide the community.
After many discussions with various parties including, but not limited to, The County of Wellington, Skyline, municipalities and community members, the Project took form.
“When the CRC approached us about building a new community space including an EarlyON centre at the Skyline Community Hub, we knew we needed to help make it happen,” says R. Jason Ashdown, Co-Founder & Chief Sustainability Officer at Skyline. “For our communities to thrive, we believe that every family deserves access to quality services—and every child deserves an enriching space to learn and play.”
In September 2024, the CRC hired Cunningham Contracting and broke ground on the construction of the Project at the Skyline Community Hub joining current tenants: Big Brothers Big Sisters Centre Wellington, The Grove Youth Hubs, and Compass Community Services.
“We truly feel that we are the missing agency in that space - specifically serving children between the ages of 0-6 through EarlyON, as well as providing much needed Community Outreach and Support Services to the families and individuals currently using the services provided by the other agencies sharing the space,” stated Executive Director, Alyssandra Kent, in the CRC’s proposal to the County of Wellington for capital funding for the EarlyON portion of the Project.
EarlyON Child and Family Centres are safe and welcoming environments for families with young children. They offer play and inquiry-based programmes led by Registered Early Childhood Educators, who also provide support and advice about parenting and child development. The Centres provide access to resources and a network of community supports and specialized services. These programs are 100% funded by the Province through the County of Wellington.
The 2227 square foot space will consist of two (2) Program Rooms, one (1) being solely dedicated to EarlyON Programming. The rest of the space is divided into offices or safe and confidential meetings spaces for CRC Outreach Workers and clients.
“While we will not be completely moved into the space on January 13, we have heard the community and know how excited our families and facilitators are to return to their normal EarlyON programming here in Centre Wellington,” says Lindsay Cowan, Manager of EarlyON Child and Family Centres for the CRC. “We have waited for this space for a long time and we are ready to welcome our families back even if we are missing a door or two!”
“Thank you to everyone for being patient during this transition. We are pleased to shared this beautiful space with new and existing EarlyON families. This EarlyON Site will be open 6 days per week, in addition to our weekly programs at the Fergus Sportsplex & Jefferson Elora Community Centre,” states Cowan.
Final construction and inspections will be completed before January 13th, but families and clients can expect a few renovations to occur during the last weeks of January as backordered items continue to be delivered or come back in stock. Unfortunately, the postal strike and material delays have contributed to the delay in opening the doors before the new year.
“We are honoured to be part of another community project at the Skyline Community Hub. Having a young child of my own, I am excited to help bring the CRC’s vision to life and support the essential services they provide to the community I live in”, says Dylan Cunningham, owner of Cunningham Contracting.
“We are at the point where we have a job to do and a community to service. We can do that in the space as it currently stands and beautify it as we go,” says Kent. “Thankfully and as always, our community came together to make this vision a reality”, she adds.
With the goal of maximizing and sharing the space, funding was sought through a proposal to the County of Wellington which granted $160,000.00 towards the EarlyON portion of the Project.
“This new EarlyON Child and Family Centre will greatly enhance the early learning experience for young children in the area,” said Warden Chris White. “It will become a hub for families and caregivers in this community to connect with one another, early childhood professionals, and learn and play with their children.”
In the Fall of 2024, the CRC also launched a capital campaign in the search for local donors or sponsors to reduce the costs of construction and operations into the future.
The CRC was also successful in a grant application to the Rotary Club of Fergus Elora, receiving over $14,000.00 towards the costs of one of the CRC Community Meeting Rooms.
“Once again, our community has shown its generosity and shared goal of creating spaces that bring people together and provide them the resources they need,” says Kent.
Not only will this space be the home of the Centre Wellington EarlyON programs, and the CRC Outreach Services, the CRC intends to also operate their Community Support Programs from this location including their annual Income Tax Clinics, Backpack, Winter Wear and Summer Snax Programs.
"Having a space again for our Outreach Team to connect with the community and have that sense of connectedness and presence within the community for its members is all a part of the CRC’s vision and the supports the team offers - feeling connected to community and being inclusive. The Outreach Team is looking forward to being able to offer supports and programs at a location that is ours!”, states Lauren Petty, CRC’s Manager of Community Outreach and Support Services.
For questions about the CRC Community Space Project, how to donate or get involved, please contact Alyssandra Kent, Executive Director of CRC at [email protected].
The Community Resource Centre of North and Centre Wellington is a leader in filling gaps in community services in Wellington County. To learn more about the Community Outreach and Support Services Division or EarlyON Child and Family Centres, you can visit our website or to make a donation.
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